And for a bit more peace:

According to the census bureau, online retail sales are up 7.5% from a year ago. There has been a similar, big and steady rise over the past ten years, so that now we’re about matching the online-shopping spike we were at during the lockdowns. And riding behind all the online sales are the rip?offs.

If a deal is offered on a social media site or through an email, it’s best practice to not click the presented link. Instead if you really want to check out a bargain or item, go through the steps of opening a browser tab and typing in the domain name you want (e.g. type in bestbuy.com or nordstrom.com).

This inconvenience cuts down the chance of getting fooled a number of ways. These can range from not getting the item you expected, to having credit card information or cash stolen.

A red flag is an unusual online-payment-method request – like cash or a gift card. A couple was presented two options from an online seller: either additional processing fees for using their credit card or a discount for making a bank transfer, the latter of which deal they took. Their money ended up just gone.

And finally, organizations often pressure themselves to reconcile outstanding bills and pay other organizations by year’s end. This determination leaves them vulnerable to criminals attempting Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks.

Cybersecurity Dive reports the FBI is showing a heightened [BEC] threat … “I think that businesses should be very leery of any changes in payment information for their vendors,” said [FBI agent] Mary Gleason.

Michelle Denio Named Director of Service Operations

“'We love Michelle!' I hear that from so many clients"

–Vice President Anna Darlagiannis-Livingstone

Michelle Denio has been named Director of Service Operations. Michelle joined Bryley in 2008. Her time in tech services and managerial roles gave her the ground on which to display the listening skills, tech knowledge and strategic thinking that have contributed to Bryley Systems’ evolution.

This new role is partly an acknowledgment of the work Michelle has put in to R&D solutions to meet clients’ needs … [4 min. read] Continue Reading?>

Tom Barnes Is Promoted to Director of Client Services

"He has a way of putting [tech] across so that it’s helpful to businesspeople"

–Vice President Anna Darlagiannis-Livingstone

Tom Barnes has been announced as Director of Client Services after nearly five years at Bryley Systems. Tom has been responsible for improving Bryley’s periodic client review process among other innovations. Tom came to Bryley from non-tech fields – he holds a degree in psychology and worked in RV sales. He is a problem-solver and brings that skillset to the process of serving IT clients.

Tom not only has an acumen for tech, he has a way of putting it across so that it’s helpful to businesspeople, Vice President Anna Darlagiannis-Livingstone said. Because of how he relays information, they’re able to see how the tech will help them. Tom is also personable and reliable. These are necessary skills and among the reasons I feel Tom’s promotion is warranted?… [4 min. read] Continue Reading?>